What is Sleep Apnea?
Education on Sleep Apnea Symptoms, Risks, and Health Impacts
While the condition is visually present for some, others are undiagnosed. This condition affects millions, many of whom remain untreated or who have been treated incorrectly.
Educating yourself about sleep apnea can allow you to learn if you may be at risk of having the condition and get started on the testing and treatment process.
Sleep Apnea Solutions at Howard Orthodontics are your partner in your journey to understand how your sleep health and airway can affect your health.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Educating yourself about sleep apnea can allow you to prevent future complications and get the treatment you need.
Here are some of the most common sleep apnea symptoms you could mean it’s worth being evaluated by a sleep professional:
- Waking up consistently tired
- Daytime fatigue
- Snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Frequent awakenings during sleep
- Choking or gasping
- Headaches
- Mood disorders or irregularities
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Decreased libido and performance
The presence of these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have sleep apnea, but it may be time to have it evaluated by a sleep professional. For example, you may have snoring or another sleep disorder. An at-home test can confirm your diagnosis, and our clinic offers these convenient devices to take in the comfort of your home.
Risk Factors
Sleep apnea can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Certain factors increase the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Common risk factors include:
- Excess Weight
- Large Neck Circumference
- Gender (men, or women as they get older)
- Age (more likely as you get older)
- Family History
- Use of Sedatives or Alcohol
- Smoking
- Nasal Congestion
- Medical Conditions
- Sleep Position
These risk factors significantly affect the likelihood of experiencing sleep apnea. Recognizing these factors is crucial for early detection and implementing effective interventions to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
Health Risks of Sleep Apnea
Here are some health risks of untreated sleep apnea:
- Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of dying from heart disease up to 5 times
- Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with a significantly higher risk of automobile and workplace accidents.
- Treating your sleep apnea can add an average of 7 years to your life.
- Increased risk of Type II Diabetes with 50% of diabetics being diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent interruptions in breathing during sleep due to partial or complete blockage of the upper airway. This obstruction results in a temporary pause in breathing, often accompanied by loud snoring and subsequent awakenings throughout the night. OSA can lead to fragmented sleep, causing excessive daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Repeated episodes of reduced oxygen levels during sleep may contribute to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems. Diagnosis typically involves a sleep study, and common treatments range from lifestyle changes to oral appliance therapy, such as the OrthoApnea NOA Device, offering a personalized and effective solution to manage the condition.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by disrupting the brain’s respiratory control centers, leading to a lack of effort to breathe during sleep. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, where airway blockage is the primary cause, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles responsible for breathing.
This results in temporary cessations of airflow, often accompanied by awakenings or difficulty maintaining a consistent sleep pattern. CSA can be associated with various medical conditions such as heart failure or neurological disorders. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, which involves physical airway obstruction, CSA poses unique challenges and requires a tailored approach to effectively manage and improve sleep quality.
Complex Sleep Apnea
Complex sleep apnea syndrome is a less common type of sleep apnea that occurs when individuals initially diagnosed with OSA later develop central sleep apnea during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This condition can require a unique treatment.
Treat Sleep Apnea Today
If you would like to learn more about sleep apnea, reach out today to schedule a consultation. Our team will complete a medical evaluation and give you an at-home test. From there, we’ll find the right treatment for your sleep condition.